Or, at least he will have a chance to answer the accusations against him when he goes before those who will ultimately decide his fate –the members of the Eldon School Board.

The embattled boy’s basketball coach will have an opportunity to present his side of the story during a public hearing at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Eldon Middle School gym.

“The board will act as the judge and jury,” Superintendent Matt Davis said of the proceedings. “They will hear arguments from both sides. There will be cross-examination. It’s like a trial. The school district will present its case and coach Lincoln will present his case. Then the board of education will make its decision.”

A court recorder will be present for the hearing, paid for by the school district.

“This is his opportunity to present his side of the case,” Davis said. “It’s the board that makes the ultimate decision.”

The school board has not spoken publicly about Lincoln’s situation because it is a personnel matter. But the board sent a letter to the coach, who signed a one-year contract in May, outlining the allegations against him, which includes his on-court conduct at tournaments this summer and comments he made during a radio interview following a game last season at Eugene.

In his third year as head coach, Lincoln guided the Mustangs to a 21-6 record last season and the Tri-County Conference championship.

Both sides will be represented by legal counsel at Tuesday’s public hearing.

While the hearing was open to the public, the coach’s fate won’t be determined in an open meeting, the school superintendent said.

“The board will go into closed session and deliberate,” Davis said. “They will not come out and vote in public. They will do that in the closed session.”

According to district policy, Lincoln will receive a written copy of the board’s decision within three days of the hearing.